
LAYTON, Utah (AP) – A Utah Highway Patrol trooper who died during a search and rescue accident was hailed as a selfless public servant and family man at a funeral service.
Hundreds of people, including uniformed officers from Utah and other states, paid their respects Saturday to Aaron R. Beesley of Bear River City.
The 34-year-old trooper lost his footing and fell from a 90-foot cliff to his death during the June 30 aerial rescue of two teenage hikers on Mount Olympus.
UHP Lt. Lee Perry, who was Beesley’s supervisor, says there’s no way to pinpoint the number of lives that Beesley saved, but it “far exceeds the number of medals, letters and accolades” he received.
The 13-year UHP veteran leaves behind a wife and three young sons.